Espi earns first Spain call-up after five-goal U21 game, debut waits

📰 Real Madrid striker Carlos Espí, who scored five in one game for the Under-21s, earned his first call-up to the senior Spain squad, but was left out of the matchday squad for both games, so his debut will have to wait. 📌 Key points ⚽ He scored five goals and provided two assists in the U21s' 13-0 rout of San Marino. 📈 It was the first five-goal haul in a single game in Spain U21 history. 🩹 He was called up as a replacement for the injured Ferran Torres (ankle). 🔁 After the Czechia game, he was also left out of the 23-man squad for Croatia. 🗓️ His senior debut has been put off until the next camp. 📝 What happened ⚽ Espí, born in 2005, scored five goals and provided two assists in Spain U21s' 13-0 rout of San Marino. It was only his second U21 appearance and his first start, and he is the first player to score five in a single game for Spain U21s. 🩹 A senior call-up followed soon after. With Ferran Torres's left ankle pain not clearing up, ruling him out of the Czechia and Croatia games, Espí, who had been training with the U21s, was called up as a replacement, ESPN and Real Madrid's official website reported. 🔁 However, coach De la Fuente left Espí out of the matchday squad against Czechia on 3 October (a 3-1 win). It was the same for the away game in Croatia in Split on the 6th. According to Croatian outlet Portal, one of the 24 who travelled to Split had to be left out, and that place went to Espí. 🗣️ After his five-goal game, Espí said it was a special night, that he had wanted to help the team and that he was really happy (Yahoo Sports). Up front, Oyarzabal and Roberto Fernández, who made his debut against Czechia, are competing for a place. 📊 By the numbers • U21s v San Marino: 5 goals, 2 assists (13-0 win) • Left out of the matchday squad this camp: 2 games in a row • La Liga: 4 games, 2 goals, all as a substitute • 26 minutes in total across Real's 8 games before the break 🔭 Why it matters Espí, who joined Real from Levante this summer, came off the bench to score against Espanyol and Elche, adding four points. His senior international debut has been delayed, but his reputation as a striker who delivers in limited minutes is growing. Back at Real, Espí will be looking for more chances from the home game against Villarreal on 10 October.